The Art of Being a Bombshell

As one of the most sought after fashion photographers and stylists, respectively, Ethan James Green and Gabriella Karefa-Johnson are used to creating unforgettable images together. But they often do articles and stories covering A-list stars like Margot Robbie and Gigi Hadid among many others. Their latest collaboration, however, is something entirely different. For Green’s A bomb the series, Karefa-Johnson went in front of the camera, and, aside from a pair of Manolo Blahniks (wearing their power of attraction), there is very little fashion. “I want traps and donkeys! That’s what I’m trying to give!” Karefa-Johnson said.

Green’s photographs are known for their intimacy, especially in his personal works, exploring their beauty beyond conventional standards. But nothing is read of his ways. Their strength comes from their authenticity. For A bomba collection of images that first appeared in book form and are now on view at the Kapp Kapp museum in New York City until October 26, Green gave friends, colleagues and maps such as Hari Nef , Dara, Martine, and Connie Fleming for staying with their deep thoughts. . Overall, this project serves not only to explore what qualifies as the beauty of the “bombshell” but as a powerful group of work created among close-knit friends who encourage you to stay inside the bombshell of you.

How did the series of bombs come about?

Ethan James Green: [Hairstylist] Lucas Wilson asked to do a hair test with my friend Marcs, and it was this kind of hair play day at my studio. Marcs brought underwear and other items from the flower market. Lucas did some really cool big hair with wigs. All day we kept calling Marcs about the bomb. Everyone in the studio was saying “bombshell! bombshell!” There was a formula that was revealing itself and we wanted to continue doing it. Just to tell people, let’s make bombshell pictures. Bring what you want to wear, it can be anything you want. Sit in the hair salon with the hairdresser and see where it goes. I’ll just write it.

Gabriella, what was your relationship with the word bombshell?

Gabriella Karefa-Johnson: Like many women, I grew up with the idea that “bombshell” had to mean an obvious and exclusive type of sex. Thankfully, instead of trying to explain what that meant in my mind before I went to sit for Ethan, I relied on the definition I knew growing up. . I said, “I want traps and asses! That’s what I’m trying to offer!” But in the end, it’s been a strong relationship with that word. I grew up with a definition that didn’t include someone like me. So it was nice to live in a bombshell persona, that’s for sure it was hidden inside me all these years Ethan brought it out.

Do you have special references for shooting?

GKJ: I am nine years old and grew up in the early 2000s. I thought, well, I’ll be Tyra Banks inside Sports Illustratedand it didn’t end up being that picture at all. I braved all this, and Luca made this amazing wig in the full length of the Anna Nicole Smith era. It was normal for me, but I almost shrank a little. I had a bit of stage fright, so I didn’t get to Tyra’s level. I think I’ll need to do it again with Ethan sometime.

Do you remember the first time we worked together as a stylist and photographer?

GKJ: I think Vogue Join us to shoot Gigi Hadid. It was truly magical. Since we knew each other socially before we started working together professionally, there was no pretense. It was just fun, happiness and joy. I think the pictures really show that.

EJG: We both come from the same school and have the same appreciation of how to make a picture. So it makes it really fun to interact in different ways.

GKJ: We are still very excited about fashion and we still love fashion very much.

How did you know who will be the subjects of this project?

EGG: A lot of the content in the book I deal with behind the scenes. Everyone knew my work in a deeper way than your average viewer. Being able to interact in another way where they understand you and what you want to do is such a privilege. I started with the people in my life. I am a workaholic, most of the people I have met through work.

GKJ: Ethan is an amazing writer and runner for our time. It felt like a privilege to be canonized in one of her pictures and to capture this moment of these beautiful women feeling beautiful, empowered and happy. Being part of that group, I was one of the coolest kids of the day.

EGG: You’re always one of the sweetest kids, Gab.

Can you elaborate a little on the interaction between the subject and the photographer?

EGG: David Armstrong once told me that 90 percent of a picture is who you photograph. The more I photograph, the more I agree with that. Especially if you are doing something when the other person is comfortable being vulnerable with you. If you make a sexy picture, that person gives you a lot. If you don’t have the right person with you in it, you won’t go far.

Gabriella, you’ve been in front of the camera before. You did that come in W. Do these experiences give you a new perspective while working behind the scenes?

GKJ: Really. It’s an amazing job to be vulnerable in someone else’s eyes, and going from behind the camera to in front of the camera really challenged that experience for me. I understood that sometimes trusting and connecting with the person behind the lens is much more powerful than I sometimes give it credit for. Whether it’s giving direction or being able to read someone’s body language for the slightest insecurity, Ethan manages the relationship well. It also gave me a new perspective to work with him as a stylist because I was like, ‘Oh my God, this guy is pulling doubles here!’ He is really locked in to make the experience smooth, easy and comfortable for the model while presenting the image and staying true to his vision. I just had a new respect because I’ve been in front of a camera before, but not in front of a camera like Ethan’s, so it was very special.

That relationship really comes through in the photos.

GKJ: The only thing I regret is that I was not completely naked. I mean, I would have oiled those panties right away.

EGG: There’s still time, Gabs!

GKJ: That’s right! I’ll see you at the studio in six hours! [Laughs]. There’s an intimacy in the relationship because it’s not like, ‘Okay, post, I’ll take a photo.’ You get intermediate and very reliable times.

Ethan, a lot of your work has been documentary, and a lot of your fashion work is very interesting. Where do you think this project is?

EGG: It’s almost always in the middle. There will always be some fashion in my work, even personal, but because it was this kind of playing with the actor and bringing people like Lucas. [Wilson] or Sonny [Molina] or Jimmy [Paul]people who do hair, it really opens up an opportunity that is not normally there. I was writing down a lot of other people’s thoughts or opinions on this bomb shape. There were elements of a fashion image, but with the freedom of a personal project. So it was a really fun mashup. I like that middle point.

GKJ: Were you surprised or surprised by anyone’s roommate? I feel like everyone in this book is already so bombshell and hot in life.

EJG: All the people I asked, I felt that the bomb person was there. I already saw them as bombs in a way. Many of my friends enjoy drawing, but they are also into it. It can get competition, which is very nice.

Do you think your idea of ​​what a bombshell means has changed during the process?

EJG: I went into it thinking that if someone wants to be a bombshell, be a bombshell. All you have to do is want to be a bombshell.

Why do you think people want to be bombshells?

EJG: It’s a strong feeling. I guess most people want to be sexy, right?

GKJ: In demure time, you want to be sexy.

It must have been a rush to build that structure.

GKJ: Something changes chemically in your brain. It was a very addictive feeling. I didn’t want the shoot to end. It was very painful, but I was like, I have to keep these fucking Manolos on the whole time. Give me something. When I’m always in Manolos, I don’t show it all and I’m really naked in every sense of the word. I want to do it again. It sounds like a dream.